Milking machine inflation cleaner



Feb. 12, 1963 R. K. MILLS MILKING MACHINE INFLATION CLEANER Filed April 5, 1956 3,0763% MEHHNG MACHENE INFLATION (ILEANER Russell K. Mills, Ta, Freeport, ill. Filed Apr. 5, 1956, Ser. No. 576,488 3 Qlahns. Cl. 15-56) This invention relates to cleaning devices for milking machine inflations or teat cups, and is particularly con cerned with power-operated units designed to thoroughly clean in quick fashion all parts of the inflation that are apt to come in contact with the cow, whereby to eliminate bacteria and entitle the dairy farmer to collect the higher prices regularly paid for bacteria-free milk.

Farmers have heretofore endeavored to do this diflicult cleaning work by hand, but it was too time consuming and the results were far from satisfactory. The only power-operated cleaning devices that I am aware of were incapable of attending to the whole job by power, and consequently, there was too much work left to be done by hand for these devices to be really satisfactory. it is accordingly the principal object of my invention to provide power-operated devices for the purpose mentioned so designed and constructed that a thorough cleaning job can be done with an absolute minimum amount of manual effort.

In one form I provide an elongated central rotary brush which takes care of cleaning the entire inside of the inflation, and in conjunction with the large end of this central brush a transversely arranged U-shaped brush is provided turning with the central brush, the bristles on the cross-portion of this U-shaped brush serving to clean the top of the inflation while the bristles on the two arms thereof clean the sides, the U-shaped brush being enclosed for protection of the operator in a cup which also turns with the central brush. 'Ihus, the farmer only has to hold the inflation during the brief power cleaning thereof. In another form, the U-shaped brush and cup are stationary and only the elongated central brush turns, and, in that case, the farmer holds the infla tion only while the central brush is cleaning the inside, and then he allows the inflation to turn with the central brush while the rest of the cleaning job is done by the U-shaped brush.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section through a cleaning device made in accordance with my invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device shown applied to a motor-operated rig for driving the same;

FIG. 3 is a phantom view of the cleaning device showing partly in longitudinal section and partly in side elevation an inflation being cleaned, and

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FlG. 1, showing a modified or alternative construction.

Similar reference numerals are applied to corresponding parts throughout the views.

Referring to the drawing, FIG. 3 shows a stainless steel shell 5 that is generally cylindrical in form in which is assembled a conventional molded rubber inflation or teat cup 6. The upper end portion 7 of the inflation has an annular inturned flange 8 defining the teat-receiving opening 9 and this end portion, which fits snugly on the inside of the flared upper end id of the shell also has a downwardly reaching outer collar portion ll which snugly engages the outer side of the flared end of the shell to provide an air-tight and water-tight joint. The reduced neck portion 12 on the lower end of the shell has the annularly ribbed middle portion 13 of the inflation extending therethrough with a similarly tight fit and the reduced smooth lower end portion 14 of the inflation to which the tube to conduct the milk to a pail is connected is left projecting from the shell, as

hired States Fatent lee shown. The reduced tubular extension 15 on the lower end of the shell is adapted to be connected with the usual suction tube on the milking machine for pulsating operation of the inflation in the usual way.

in accordance with my invention, an elongated rotary central brush in is provided for thoroughly cleaning the entire inside of the inflation and comprises a straight twisted wire core or mandrel 17 having short bristles 18 on the lower end for operation inside the reduced lower end portion 14 of the inflation, longer bristles 19 for operation inside the larger teat-receiving main portion of the inflation, and still longer bristles 20 at the upper end to clean the inside of the flared upper end portion of the inflation including the underside of the flange 8 and the central hole 9 defined by the flange. A U-shaped brush 21 the twisted wire mandrel 22 of which is of corresponding U-shape, has bristles 23 on the cross-portion to clean the top of the inflation, that is, the top of the flange 8, and it has other bristles 24 on the two arms of the U to clean the outside or" the upper end portion of the inflation, namely, the outside of the collar 11. The mandrel 22 is suitably secured at the middle of its cross-portion, as indicated at 25, to the mandrel 17 to turn therewith, and there is secured over the upper end of the mandrel 17 a sleeve 26 which provides a smooth exterior suitable for gripping in a chuck like that indicated at 27 in FIG. 2. A sheet metal inverted cup 28 is suitably secured, as indicated at 29, at the center of its top wall 30 to the sleeve 26 and it encloses the U- shaped brush 21 and turns with it in the operation of the cleaning device for protection of the operator.

in operation, the operator generally has a two-cornpartment wash tank containing soapy water in one compartment and clear rinse water in the other, and in the cleaning of milking machine inflations they are left in their shells, as shown in FIG. 3, and are first immersed in the soapy water to soak and then they are taken out one after another for power cleaning and are applied to the rotating brush in while the operator holds the shell against turning. The brush l6 scrubs the inside thoroughly while the U-shaped brush 21 scrubs the upper end and outer side of the inflation, the cup 28 meanwhile shielding the operator from soapy water thrown oil in the speedy rotation of the brushes. Any suitable rig may he provided for drive purposes, the one shown in FIG. 2 consisting of a platform 31 on which is secured the base 32 of an electric motor 33 having a pulley 34 on its armature shaft transmitting drive through a belt 35 to a larger pulley 36 mounted on a counter-shaft 37 supported in bearings 38 provided in the base 32. The chuck 27 previously mentioned is provided in the hub 35 or" the pulley 36 and may be of any suitable or preferred type. After each inflation has been thoroughly scrubbed in this wayit is pulled oil the brush 16 and rinsed in the rinse solution and then placed on a clean tray to drain and dry.

The device shown in FIG. 4 is the same as that shown in PEG. 1 in so far as the central elongated brush 16' is concerned and has the same sets of bristles 18', 19' and 28 to scrub the inside of the various portions of the inflation 6, as above described. However, in this device the upper end portion of the mandrel 17 has a sleeve 25' turning in a bearing 39 provided on a stationary bracket 40 that is adapted to be mounted on a platform like that shown at 31 in FIG. 2. This bracket has a cup 2% secured thereto and inside the cup is provided a U- shaped brush 2i suitably secured to the bracket 40, as indicated at 41, against turning with respect to the bearing 39.

in operation, the mandrel 17' has its upper end 42 arranged to be drivingly connected with any suitable driver, like that shown in FIG. 2, as by means of an screens electric motor mounted on the bracket 30 and having a chuck on its armature shaft receiving the end portion 42 of the mandrel therein. in the first part of the power scrubbing operation the operator will hold the inflation against turning by grasping the shell until the entire inside of the inflation has been thoroughly scrubbed. Then he will release the shell 5 and allow the assembly to turn with the brush 16' until the upper end and outer side of the inflation have been thoroughly scrubbed by means of the U-shaped brush 21, the bristles 23 on the cross-portion serving to scrub the top while the bristle 24 on the two arms of the U-shaped brush thoroughly scrub the outer side. The cup 28 in this portion of the operation prevents spattering of the soapy water in the speedy rotation of the assembly. After the thorough scrubbing of the inside and outside of th inflation, the operator takes hold of the shell 5 and pulls the assembly 0d the brush and rinses it, as described before.

it is believed the foregoing description conveys a good understanding of the objects and advantages of my invention. The appended claims have been drawn to cover all legitimate modifications and adaptations.

I claim:

1. In a device for cleaning milking machine inflations and the like, a fixed support, a cup-shaped shield rigid with the support and extending outwardly therefrom, an elongated straight mandrel freely rotatably mounted in said support, an inner end portion of the mandrel being positioned beyond one side of the support and adapted to have connection with means for axially rotating the mandrel, the other end portion of the mandrel extending centrally from the shield, said mandrel having fixed thereon in coaxial relationship therewith an elongated generally cylindrical brush at least as long as an inflation to be cleaned and comprising an outer end sect on of relatively short bristles, an intermediate section of longer bristles, and an inner end section of longest bristles; said short, longer and longest bristles conforming with and scrubbingly engaging the entire inner Wall of the inflation, all of said bristles being arranged in a continuous helix to insure complete scrubbing action in the rotation of the brush, U-shaped brush for scrubbing the exterior of the inlet end portion of the inflation, said U- shaped brush being disposed in the cup and secured thereto so as to be held against rotation, sai U-shaped brush having a pair of side arms interconnected by a cross-portion, said cross-portion extending transversely relative to the mandrel of the elongated brush, and the side arms of said U-shaped brush being disposed in closely spaced and substantially parallel relationship to opposite sides of the inner end section of the elongated brush.

2. In a device for cleaning milking machine infiations and the like, a cup-shaped shield, an elongated straight mandrel disposed in coaxial relationship to said shield and having and end portion extending from the closed side thereof and adapted for connection with drive means, the other end portion of the mandrel extending centrally from the open side of the shield, said mandrel having fixed thereon in coaxial relationship therewith an elongated generally cylindrical brush at least as long as an inflation to be cleaned and comprising an outer end section of relatively short bristles, an intermediate section of longer bristles, and an inner end section of longest bristles, said short, longer and longest bristles conforming with and scrubbingly engaging the entire inner wall of the inflation, all or" said bristles being arranged in a continuous helix to insure complete scrubbing action in the rotation of the brush, and a lJ-shaped brush for scrubbing the exterior of the inlet end portion of the inflation, said tJ-snaped brush being housed in said cup and having a pair of side arms interconnected by a crossportion, said cross-portion extending tranversely relative to the mandrer of the elongated brush, and the side arms of said tl-shaped brush being disposed in closely spaced and substantially parallel relationship to opposite sides of the inner end section of the elongated brush.

3. in a devi e for cleaning milking machine infiations and the like, a cup-shape shield, an elongated straight mandrel disposed in coaxial relationship to said shield and having an end portion extending from the closed side thereof and adapted for connection with drive means, the other end portion of the mandrel extending centrally from the open side of the shield, said mandrel having fixed thereon in coaxial relationship therewith an elongated generally cylindrical brush at least as long as an it on to be cleaned and comprising an outer end section of relatively short bristles, an intermediate section of longer bristles, and an inner end section 01 longest bristles, said short, longer and longest bristles conforming wi h and sonbbingly engaging the entire inner Wall of the inflation, all of said bristles being arranged in a continuous helix to insure complete scrubbing action in the rotation of the brush, and a second elongated brush longer than the diameter of the inlet end or" the inflation for scrubbing the exterior of the inlet end portion of the irritation housed in said cup and extending transversely relative to the mandrel or" the elongated brush at the inner end section of the first mentioned elongated brush.

Reterences Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. IN A DEVICE FOR CLEANING MILKING MACHINE INFLATIONS AND THE LIKE, A FIXED SUPPORT, A CUP-SHAPED SHIELD RIGID WITH THE SUPPORT AND EXTENDING OUTWARDLY THEREFROM, AN ELONGATED STRAIGHT MANDREL FREELY ROTATABLY MOUNTED IN SAID SUPPORT, AN INNER END PORTION OF THE MANDREL BEING POSITIONED BEYOND ONE SIDE OF THE SUPPORT AND ADAPTED TO HAVE CONNECTION WITH MEANS FOR AXIALLY ROTATING THE MANDREL, THE OTHER END PORTION OF THE MANDREL EXTENDING CENTRALLY FROM THE SHIELD, SAID MANDREL HAVING FIXED THEREON IN COAXIAL RELATIONSHIP THEREWITH AN ELONGATED GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL BRUSH AT LEAST AS LONG AS AN INFLATION TO BE CLEANED AND COMPRISING AN OUTER END SECTION OF RELATIVELY SHORT BRISTLES, AN INTERMEDIATE SECTION OF LONGER BRISTLES, AND AN INNER END SECTION OF LONGEST BRISTLES; SAID SHORT, LONGER AND LONGEST BRISTLES CONFORMING WITH AND SCRUBBINGLY ENGAGING THE ENTIRE INNER WALL OF THE INFLATION, ALL OF SAID BRISTLES BEING ARRANGED IN A CONTINUOUS HELIX TO INSURE COMPLETE SCRUBBING ACTION IN THE ROTATION OF THE BRUSH, U-SHAPED BRUSH FOR SCRUBBING THE EXTERIOR OF THE INLET END PORTION OF THE INFLATION, SAID USHAPED BRUSH BEING DISPOSED IN THE CUP AND SECURED THERETO SO AS TO BE HELD AGAINST ROTATION, SAID U-SHAPED BRUSH HAVING A PAIR OF SIDE ARMS INTERCONNECTED BY A CROSS-PORTION, SAID CROSS-PORTION EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY RELATIVE TO THE MANDREL OF THE ELONGATED BRUSH, AND THE SIDE ARMS OF SAID U-SHAPED BRUSH BEING DISPOSED IN CLOSELY SPACED AND SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL RELATIONSHIP TO OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE INNER END SECTION OF THE ELONGATED BRUSH. 